If Walls Could Talk... Season 10 Episode 1 From Hardware Store to Home
- October 6, 2003
- 21 min
If Walls Could Talk... takes viewers on a journey through the history of homes and buildings, uncovering secrets hidden within their walls. In season 10, episode 1, entitled From Hardware Store to Home, they travel to a small town to explore a unique transformation.
The episode begins with host David Visentin arriving in the town's charming main street. He introduces the theme of the episode: how a hardware store that had been in business for over 150 years was transformed, quite unexpectedly, into a family home. David talks about how each home has a story, whether it's the people who lived there or the building itself.
David meets with the owners of the hardware store turned home, John and Rachel. They give him a tour of their unique home and share their family's story. Rachel explains that the store was built in 1850 and had been the cornerstone of the town's commerce for generations. But as people's shopping habits changed and big box stores took over, the family decided to close the store. They could have simply sold it, but instead, they decided to transform it into their own home.
As David walks through the house, he points out some of the unique features that were once a part of the hardware store. The front door, for example, was the store's original entrance. The sturdy shelving units that once displayed hardware now serve as bookshelves in the family room. Even the original cash register stands in the corner as a piece of history.
In the kitchen, David discovers that the original hardware store counter is now the family's island. Rachel explains how they kept as much of the original store as possible. They even used some of the store's stock, like old nails, to create a rustic backsplash. While the hardware store was full of tools and hardware, Rachel and John's home is full of charm and character.
David points out how the family has incorporated elements of the building's history into their decor. In the living room, one wall is covered in old postcards that were found when they were renovating. The postcards are a nod to the store's long history, as they're all from the early 1900s. David notes that the family has also kept the original hardwood floors, adding to the home's warmth and character.
As the episode progresses, David sits with John and Rachel to talk about the personal transformation that occurred when they turned the hardware store into their home. They discuss how important it was to them to preserve the building's history while also creating a comfortable, livable space for their family. They mention how the home has become a gathering place for friends and family, and how the community has embraced their unique transformation.
David concludes the episode by reflecting on the idea that homes are not just about the bricks and mortar, but about the stories and memories made within them. He notes how Rachel and John's transformation of the hardware store into a home has created a legacy that will last far beyond their years.
Overall, From Hardware Store to Home is a heartwarming and inspiring episode that explores the power of transformation and the importance of preserving history. Viewers will be left feeling inspired to look at their own homes and think about the stories that lie within their walls.